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London - Australia wing Drew Mitchell capped an impressive individual Autumn with two early tries as a strong Barbarians side beat a much-changed South Africa 26-20 at Twickenham on Saturday.
The invitational team, who also beat South Africa at Twickenham three years ago, were well-worth their win over a Springbok side who looked a touch weary at the end of a tour that brought wins over Ireland, Wales and England but a defeat by Scotland.
Mitchell, who scored a hat-trick of tries in Australia's demolition of France last week, collected a lovely behind-the-back pass from Will Genia to score the first try after five minutes.
Fellow Wallaby James O'Connor added the second after a Springbok lineout - missing key lock Victor Matfield - went badly wrong.
Mitchell added his second after 20 minutes, running on to a chip from fellow Australian Adam Ashley-Cooper as the Barbarians deservedly led 19-3 at halftime.
South Africa, with 12 changes from the team who beat England on the same ground a week ago, were all over the place in the first half and it was they, rather than the invitational side, who looked as if they had got together for the first time this week.
They were better organised after the break and quickly got their first try with a 60 metre interception by winger Odwa Ndungane.
However, the Barbarians remained the more dangerous team and got their fourth try after an hour when South Africa-born Italy lock Quintin Geldenhuys barged over.
Bakkies Botha, one of the few first-choice Springboks in action, pulled another back after powerful running by impressive flanker Willem Alberts but replacement hooker Bandise Maku's last-minute try in the corner came too late to prevent the defeat.
"It was pretty interesting playing against my own country but I'm just humbled to be a part of such a great team," the Barbarians' uncapped South African lock Anton van Zyl told Sky Sports.
Scorers:
Barbarians:
Tries: Mitchell (2), O'Connor, Geldenhuys
Conversions: O'Connor (3)
Penalties:
South Africa:
Tries: Ndungane, Botha, Maku
Conversions: Jantjies
Penalties: Jantjies
Teams:
Barbarians: James O'Connor; Joe Rokocoko, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Ma'a Nonu, Drew Mitchell; Matt Giteau (capt), Will Genia; Colin Bourke, Martyn Williams, Rodney So'oialo, Chris Jack, Anton van Zyl, Neemia Tialata, Stephen Moore, Salvatore Perugini.
Replacements: Keven Mealamu, John Yapp, Quintin Geldenhuys, Daniel Braid, Andrew Ellis, Stephen Donald, Seru Rabeni
South Africa: Patrick Lambie; Odwa Ndungane, Adrian Jacobs, Andries Strauss, Lwazi Mvovo; Elton Jantjies, Francois Hougaard; Ryan Kankowski, Juan Smith (capt), Willem Alberts, Alistair Hargreaves, Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, Adriaan Strauss. Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: Bandise Maku, Tendai Mtawarira, Werner Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Keegan Daniel, Charl McLeod, Gio Aplon.
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (FRA)
The invitational team, who also beat South Africa at Twickenham three years ago, were well-worth their win over a Springbok side who looked a touch weary at the end of a tour that brought wins over Ireland, Wales and England but a defeat by Scotland.
Mitchell, who scored a hat-trick of tries in Australia's demolition of France last week, collected a lovely behind-the-back pass from Will Genia to score the first try after five minutes.
Fellow Wallaby James O'Connor added the second after a Springbok lineout - missing key lock Victor Matfield - went badly wrong.
Mitchell added his second after 20 minutes, running on to a chip from fellow Australian Adam Ashley-Cooper as the Barbarians deservedly led 19-3 at halftime.
South Africa, with 12 changes from the team who beat England on the same ground a week ago, were all over the place in the first half and it was they, rather than the invitational side, who looked as if they had got together for the first time this week.
They were better organised after the break and quickly got their first try with a 60 metre interception by winger Odwa Ndungane.
However, the Barbarians remained the more dangerous team and got their fourth try after an hour when South Africa-born Italy lock Quintin Geldenhuys barged over.
Bakkies Botha, one of the few first-choice Springboks in action, pulled another back after powerful running by impressive flanker Willem Alberts but replacement hooker Bandise Maku's last-minute try in the corner came too late to prevent the defeat.
"It was pretty interesting playing against my own country but I'm just humbled to be a part of such a great team," the Barbarians' uncapped South African lock Anton van Zyl told Sky Sports.
Scorers:
Barbarians:
Tries: Mitchell (2), O'Connor, Geldenhuys
Conversions: O'Connor (3)
Penalties:
South Africa:
Tries: Ndungane, Botha, Maku
Conversions: Jantjies
Penalties: Jantjies
Teams:
Barbarians: James O'Connor; Joe Rokocoko, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Ma'a Nonu, Drew Mitchell; Matt Giteau (capt), Will Genia; Colin Bourke, Martyn Williams, Rodney So'oialo, Chris Jack, Anton van Zyl, Neemia Tialata, Stephen Moore, Salvatore Perugini.
Replacements: Keven Mealamu, John Yapp, Quintin Geldenhuys, Daniel Braid, Andrew Ellis, Stephen Donald, Seru Rabeni
South Africa: Patrick Lambie; Odwa Ndungane, Adrian Jacobs, Andries Strauss, Lwazi Mvovo; Elton Jantjies, Francois Hougaard; Ryan Kankowski, Juan Smith (capt), Willem Alberts, Alistair Hargreaves, Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, Adriaan Strauss. Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: Bandise Maku, Tendai Mtawarira, Werner Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Keegan Daniel, Charl McLeod, Gio Aplon.
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (FRA)
